What is the focus of teacher-centered classrooms?

The focus of teacher-centered classrooms centers around the transmission of knowledge from the teacher to the students. In this approach, the teacher acts as the primary source of information and authority in the classroom. Instruction typically involves direct teaching methods such as lectures, demonstrations, and explicit instruction. The role of the teacher is to deliver content clearly and effectively, guiding student learning and understanding primarily through their expertise.

In a teacher-centered environment, students generally take on more passive roles, receiving information and practicing skills as directed by the teacher. This approach contrasts with student-centered methodologies, where the emphasis is on active learning, collaboration, and the construction of knowledge by the students themselves. While participatory and exploratory learning methods have their advantages, they are not the hallmark of a teacher-centered classroom. Instead, the key characteristic remains the reliance on the teacher as the primary facilitator of knowledge.